CONCLUSION.
Finally, fly-fishing may be considered one of the best of sports,
because it can be followed late in life. Most devotees of sport, when
the nerves become shaky and the eyes grow dim, must content themselves
with thinking or talking of what they did in their youth. But it is not
so with the fly-fisher. He can still throw a fly and play a trout,
better perhaps than in his youth, because of his greater experience;
and, when in the down-hill of life he looks back on the hopes and
anticipations of his boyhood days, it must be gratifying to feel that
the times spent among the beauties of nature in exercising the angler's
art have been the most enjoyable parts of his life, and that he is none
the worse man for having obeyed the precepts and followed the example of
our grand old past master, Izaak Walton.
APPENDIX.
It is doubtful whether the gratification of taking fish is equal to that
which results from the recital of the achievement, and describing to a
sympathetic audience the method and tackle by which the prey has been
ensnared. Walton and his friends, after a long day, loved to meet at
some village alehouse, and fight their battles o'er again; and in the
present day one of the most enjoyable parts of the evening spent at an
Angling Society is when the chairman asks, "Has any one been fishing?"
and the members recount their piscatorial experiences since the last
meeting. Any one unaccustomed to such meetings would be surprised at the
knowledge of rivers, the country, the habits, and the haunts of
particular kinds of fish and insects, the various sorts of baits and
tackle to be used, and all the technical information which the London
angler displays on such occasions; and this broader view of nature and
life is not the least of the benefits derived from following the
piscatorial art.
The London clubs number about 200, with upwards of 5,000 members; and
considering that a very large number of anglers do not belong to any
club, it will be readily understood that the angling fraternity form a
considerable part of the community, whose great aim is to enjoy
themselves in a rational and innocent manner, away from the clank of
machinery, the roar of street traffic, and the stifling atmosphere of a
great city; and every assistance and encouragement should be given them
to do so--and they are progressing. Many of them practice fly-fishing;
and if trout are not to be got, there are chub, dace, and bleak, and
occasionally a roach, to reward them for their skill. The one great
difficulty is where to get good fishing, and this is to some extent
overcome by the co-operation of anglers, through their clubs and
associations, who not only rent waters for their members, but make
arrangements with the railway companies to take them into the country
and back at greatly reduced fares. The preserving and re-stocking of
waters also form an important part of the business of angling clubs.
Experience has taught them that it is of very little use to turn in fry
before they are old enough to take care of themselves, but that it is
more satisfactory, and ultimately more economical to purchase yearling
fish in the first place. These various matters have been so well
attended to, that, notwithstanding the great increase in the number of
anglers, access to well-stocked rivers is more easy of attainment now
than it was a few years ago.
Of course, every care should be taken to prevent poaching, to keep down
predaceous fish, and prevent undersized and out-of-season fish from
being taken; but with these precautions, if the river is naturally
adapted for the kind of fish required, there should be no difficulty.
In the case of trout, the quantity, quality, and size will very much
depend on the quantity and kind of food to be obtained. There should be
plenty of weeds, sedge, flags, &c., not only for shelter, but they are
the natural breeding places of insects and crustacea, in which trout
delight, and if the river is overhung with trees and bushes it not only
adds to the security of the fish, but harbours flies and other insects
which drop off into the water.
WET _v._ DRY.
The difference between wet and dry fly-fishing is this: the wet fly is
worked gently along some few inches beneath the surface until a fish is
found, which, when they are scarce, or not rising, may be a tedious
process, and often the first intimation is a sudden tug without any
rise, which should be immediately answered by as sudden a twitch from
the wrist.
The dry-fly fisherman walks quietly along by the side of the stream, and
if he sees a trout rising, drops his fly lightly a little above it, and
preferably also a little on one side, and lets it float down stream on
the surface to the fish, gently raising the point of his rod in the
meantime. In case no fish are rising, he carefully casts to the most
likely-looking spots, and particularly under the bank on which he is
standing.
In nine cases out of ten, a trout, if it rises at all, takes the dry fly
immediately it touches the water; therefore, one should learn to cast
clean and straight, without any slack line.
TACKLE.
There is a great difference of opinion among anglers as to the amount of
pliancy a fly-rod ought to possess. From the old-fashioned, heavy, stiff
rod, we have gone to the other extreme, and had cane rods so light and
whippy as to be entirely useless on a windy day; and now we have what
is, in my opinion, a somewhat sensible reaction, and are coming back to
a greenheart from ten to twelve feet long, of medium substance and
pliability.
Such a rod, with an Acme line suited to it, and the whole adapted to the
height and strength of the angler, ought to make good casting. Long
casting may be showy, but in practice it is far better to cast lightly
and accurately, and this tends to fill the basket much more than being
able to get out an extra length. One piece of advice may be relied on:
never part with a good rod after you have become accustomed to it. It is
not only the pleasurable associations connected with it, but the
confidence you have in it, and, through it, in yourself, enables you to
kill fish with it.
With care, it may be made to last a lifetime. I used, the other day, at
the International Tournament, a greenheart that I have used almost
exclusively for about twelve years, and with which I have killed many
hundred brace of trout. If, on the occasion referred to, I had used an
Ogden and Scotford's _multum in parvo_, I believe I should have thrown
two yards farther.
FLIES.
I see no reason to alter the list given in the first edition, indeed,
subsequent experience has tended to confirm my opinion expressed
therein.
Many old anglers say it is of no use in the May-fly season to try any
other fly. I generally use a May-fly as stretcher, and a small
Soldier-palmer as drop, and out of seventeen-and-a-half brace of trout
caught last Whitsuntide in two half-days, one-third of them were caught
on the Palmer. Others say it is useless to try a May-fly, except when
the natural fly is out; but this is also subject to modification.
There have been two or three well-authenticated cases reported in the
sporting journals lately, of fish having been killed some weeks before
and after the season on _Ephemera vulgata_. Indeed, there has been seen
in Ireland this autumn a _second_ very strong rise of May-fly.
In the first edition I speak of the Grey-drake thus:--"This is said to
be a metamorphosis of the green drake, or female, changing to a male."
The passage should have read thus:--"This is _said by some writers_ to
be," &c.
I had not the slightest intention of giving that as a fact, or as my own
opinion, knowing otherwise.
Flies tied on eyed hooks with cocked or upright wings, in imitation of
the natural fly when floating down a stream, are coming into use more
and more, and apparently will supersede those tied on gut, and with flat
wings.
WHEN TO GO FISHING.
A century ago it was not possible to get forecasts of the weather from
the daily papers, and the death of Admiral Fitzroy in middle life, and
in the midst of his scientific discoveries, was a great blow to the
advancement of this branch of science. But with greater facilities for
conveying intelligence round the whole globe, it could not but happen
that more accurate information of air currents should be sent forward
to the countries likely to be affected by them.
The following is from the "Art of Angling," published in 1810:--"It is
the best fishing in a river somewhat disturbed by rain, or on a cloudy
day when the waters are moved with a gentle breeze; the south and west
winds are the best, and if the wind blows high, yet not so but that you
may conveniently guide your tackle, then fishes will rise in the still
deeps; but if there is little wind stirring, the best angling is in
swift streams.
"In casting your line, do it always before you, and in such a manner
that the fly may fall first on the water. When you throw your line, wave
the rod in a small circumference round your head, and never make a
return of it before the line has had its full scope, or the fly will
snap off.
"Although when you angle the day is cloudy and windy, and the water
thick, you must keep the fly in continual motion, otherwise the fishes
will discern the deceit.
"'... Upon the curling surface let it glide
With nat'ral motion from your hand suppli'd;
Against the stream now let it gently play,
Now in the rapid eddy float away.'
"When fishes rise at the fly very often, and yet never take it, you may
conclude that it is not what they like, therefore change it for the one
they do."
PLAYING A FISH.
"... Should you lure
From his dark haunt, beneath the tangled roots
Of pendent trees, the monarch of the brook,
Behoves you then to ply your finest art;
Long time he, following cautious, scans the fly,
And oft attempts to seize it, but as oft
The dimpled water speaks his jealous fear:
At last, while haply o'er the shaded sun
Passes a cloud, he desperate takes the death
With sullen plunge: at once he darts along,
Deep struck, and runs out all the lengthen'd line,
Then seeks the farthest ooze, the sheltering weed,
The cavern'd bank, his own secure abode;
And flies aloft, and flounces round the pool,
Indignant of the guile. With yielding hand,
That feels him still, yet to his furious course
Gives way, you, now retiring, following now
Across the stream, exhaust his idle rage,
Till floating broad upon his breathless side,
And to his fate abandon'd, to the shore
You gaily drag your unresisting prize."
CASTING.
There are several kinds of casts to be used, for the _ordinary_ casts
will be of little avail under some circumstances. To make the ordinary
cast, begin with a short line, and by the action of the wrist and
forearm propel it out in front of you, so that when it is extended to
the full length, the fly will be two or three feet above the surface, on
which it should fall by its own weight. In repeating the cast raise the
point of the rod slowly, and bring it back over your right shoulder, so
that the line shall describe the shape of a horse-shoe behind you; then
throw it forward again in the same manner as before; keep casting in
this way until you can throw a tolerable length, say, twelve or fourteen
yards, always striving more for accuracy and delicacy than length.
Sometimes a fish may be seen rising which is out of reach of the
ordinary cast. In such case it will be necessary to adopt what is called
the _augmented_ cast.
Throw out as much line as you can in the ordinary way, then with the
forefinger of the right-hand press the line against the rod, draw two or
three yards off the reel with the left hand; bring back the line and
throw it forward again, and just before it reaches its fullest extent
remove your finger, and the impetus of the line will carry out the two
or three yards taken off the reel.
The _spey_ throw is used for a similar purpose. If you are fishing a
large river or lake with a strong wind behind you, when the line is
extended to its utmost limit by the ordinary cast, whisk the fly off the
water by an upward and backward movement of the hand; but deliver it
forward again, just as the last of the reel line is leaving the surface,
by a rapid downward cut with the upper portion of the rod. It is
possible in this way to get out four or five yards more line than by the
ordinary cast.
When trees or bushes overhang the water the _side_ cast is sometimes
useful. Let out a short line, and wave the rod from side to side
horizontally, until the line follows the motion of the rod, then pull a
yard or two off the reel and swish it on to the water. The best way to
get it off again is to reel in.
It will occasionally happen that when trees are overhanging there is not
room on either side to use the side cast. The _underhand_ cast here
comes in.
Take the fly between the finger and thumb of the left hand, and by
giving the rod a forward and upward motion, drop the fly on to the water
in front of you.
When high bushes stand between you and the river the _steeple_ cast is
handy. By the action of the rod work the line up perpendicularly above
your head, then pitch it down over the bushes on to the water.
These special casts are only used in special circumstances requiring
them, but they are often instrumental in producing big fish from
otherwise inaccessible spots, and it is in such spots that the big fish
generally lie.
ANGLING CLUBS.
In conclusion, I would recommend all anglers, whether living in London
or the provinces, to join a good club: they there meet kindred spirits,
and form friendships and connections, that make life pleasant.
Many of these clubs rent waters for the use of their members, which
would not be within the reach of individuals.
Scientific papers on the art are occasionally read, and discussions
based on them; lectures and smoking concerts are often added to the
programme; some of them possess extensive circulating libraries
accessible to their members only, while most of their rooms are hung
with specimen fish, portraits of prominent anglers, aquatic birds,
flies, &c. In winter evenings, when angling is out of the question, the
interest in the sport is thus kept up, and plans for the coming season
formed, tackle compared, and various other matters arranged.
Most of the London clubs admit country members at a lower rate of
subscription than ordinary members, and thus benefits accrue on both
sides. Country members, when in town, can obtain all the advantages
enumerated, and they have occasionally the opportunity of procuring the
town member a day's fishing "far from the madding crowd."
RED PALMER.
[Illustration]
ALFRED & SON,
FISHING ROD AND TACKLE MAKERS
TO H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH,
=20, MOORGATE STREET, E.C.=
=BEFORE BUYING=
FISHING TACKLE
CALL AND INSPECT
Our Selection of Trout Rods, the most complete
Stock in London.
SINGLE BRAZED FLY RODS
FROM =7/6=
Check Winches from 2s. Fly Lines, 1d., 2d., and 3d. per yard. Gut
Casts from 4d. to 1s. each. Flies dressed on best Drawn Gut, kept in
Stock, or tied to any Pattern, 2s. per doz.
SEND A GUINEA
FOR OUR FLY-FISHING OUTFIT
_Comprising Brazed Rod, Metal Winch, 40 yards Line,
Casts, and Book of Flies._
Foreign and Country Orders must enclose Remittance.
=Note the Address: 20, MOORGATE STREET, LONDON. E.C.=
=THE ACME=
METAL CENTRED LINES
are the Finest and Best yet made. They are the most Scientifically
constructed Fly and Spinning Lines ever introduced to the Angling
public. They are supplied on this condition of purchase: Cash refunded
or duplicate line supplied if line be not deemed satisfactory after
twelve months' wear.
[Illustration]
Mr. +Wm. Senior+, (Angling) Editor of the _Field_, says: "My
experience of the lines with wire centre is quite another thing, and
it is confined to the 'Acme' of Messrs. D. & W. H. Foster, of
Ashbourne.... I ordered a line that will do for light salmon or Pike
Spinning (No. 1), and another for trout fishing (No. 0). This was two
seasons ago. I have used both lines hard ever since, and they appear
to be quite good for the chances of 1886. They are, in short, the
best lines I ever had."--Contribution to a controversy _re_ Lines, in
the _Fishing Gazette_, March 27th, 1886.
See also recommendations of the +Acme+ in _Land and Water_, August
28th, 1888; _Bell's Life_, September 18th, 1885; _Fishing Gazette_,
September 19th, 1885: _Field_, August 16th, 1884; and the leading
journals of Russia, Austria, the U.S.A., Finland, &c.
=The British Braided All-Silk Waterproof Lines= (1-1/2d. per yd.), and
=The Indestructible Ditto= (1/6 per score yds.) are the best all-silk
Lines in the Market.
The Best Killing Flies are the new Skin Winged "=BITTERN=."
Patent applied for. Price =3/-= per dozen.
[Illustration]
They are fifty per cent. nearer nature than the old style
artificials. "Two of the three varieties sent had a fair trial, and
they proved more successful than any other flies."--The Rev. +A. R.
Francis, M.A.+, in the _Fishing Gazette_, September 15th, 1888.
=For New and Refined Improvements in Tackle, see
FOSTER'S CATALOGUE.=
=PHENOMENAL SUCCESS=
Has attended the Inventions and Improvements we have, during the past
half century, introduced. Every Angler should possess a copy of our
Newly Issued Catalogue. Well worth 1s., vide _Fishing Gazette_. It
contains 133 pages, and over 200 illustrations (some in colours).
Post free, four stamps.
D. & W. H. FOSTER, Manufacturers,
=ASHBOURNE, ENGLAND.=
HARDY'S RODS.
CANE BUILT STEEL-CENTRE, CANE BUILT GREENHEART, AND GENERAL TACKLE
STAND.
=UNRIVALLED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.=
_This is proved by the great number of AWARDS given them, and their
GENERAL USE by ANGLERS of NOTE._
REGISTERED
[Illustration]
TRADE MARK.
Those who wish for PERFECT ADAPTABILITY, giving the BEST RESULTS with
the LEAST EXPENDITURE of FORCE or CASH, should send _THREE STAMPS for
our ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE and ANGLERS' GUIDE_.
HARDY BROTHERS,
LONDON & NORTH BRITISH WORKS,
ALNWICK, NORTHUMBERLAND.
=~HOLLAND'S FLOATING FLIES.~=
GEO. HOLLAND, of BRIDGE STREET, SALISBURY, Practical Fly-Fisher and Fly
Maker, begs to inform Anglers that he is now prepared to execute orders
for his STANDARD TROUT and GRAYLING FLIES for Hampshire, Derbyshire,
Yorkshire, and all other Streams, at the following prices for
cash:--Hackle Flies, 1s. 9d. per dozen; Single-winged Flies, 2s. per
dozen; Double-winged Floaters, 2s. 6d. per dozen; Ibis, Macaw, and
Indian Crow Tags, 2s. 6d. per dozen. Bumbles, ditto, on gut, or Eyed
Hooks. EVERY HOOK IS TESTED BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER TYING. G. H. is agent
for the Celebrated English Split-Cane Fly Rods, made by Messrs. Hardy
Brothers, and has Special Patterns for Dry-Fly Fishing, as used by some
of the best Hampshire Anglers. Agent for Messrs. S. Allcock and Co.'s
Celebrated "Standard" Angling Requisites. Holland's Cobweb Gut sold in
three-yard Tapered Casts, or in Hanks. This Gut is of the best quality
obtainable, and carefully selected. Flies made to order, and from the
patterns given in Mr. Halford's "Floating Flies and How to Dress Them."
G. H., having personal and practical knowledge of Fly-Fishing both in
North and South Country Streams, is able to advise his Customers as to
the Best Killers for different seasons and localities. By Special
Appointment Sole Agent in this neighbourhood for Messrs. +S. Allcock and
Co., Standard Works, Redditch+.
Being a Specialist for Trout and Grayling Requisites, gentlemen may rely
on getting just what they want.
I am very much pleased with the flies. They are splendidly tied and are
just what I wanted.
+Francis Francis, Esq.+
* * * * *
G. Holland is one of the most excellent professional fly tiers in the
three kingdoms, and has carried the department of Floating Fly-tying to
special excellence.
+H. Cholmondeley Pennell, Esq.+--_Badminton Library._
* * * * *
I never saw anything more life-like or perfect.
+Francis M. Walbran, Esq.+
* * * * *
As a fly fisher of more than fifty years, I have had very extensive
experience of Fly Dressing, and it is fairly due to you to state that I
have never met with flies better or more artistically tied than yours,
and I never miss an opportunity of recommending your flies.
+H. R. Francis, Esq.+--_Badminton Library._
* * * * *
COBWEB DRAWN GUT WITH UNBROKEN SKIN.
"Examined by the microscope the gut is much rounder and more perfect in
structure than any I have seen, also smaller in diameter; some of the
lengths are 3-1,000ths of an inch only. Its transparency is also very
great, and there are seen no fibres along the length, which is so common
with the ordinary drawn gut. Please send two more hanks."
+J. Hawksley, Esq.+, London.
* * * * *
Dear Sir,--I promised to let you know how those small eyed snecks did
among heavy fish. I am glad to find them exceeding good; so far I have
had no accidents with them, and I had some very heavy fish. Amongst
others, I have killed during the last four days six grayling weighing
15lb., the heaviest brace going a trifle over 5-3/4lb. All these fish
have been killed on your cobweb gut, which is the best I ever had--a
perfect marvel of strength and fineness combined. Most of my fish have
succumbed to the tiny Orange Tags I had from you a fortnight ago, though
the largest fish, a three-pounder, came home on a light Olive. The
Orange Tag is, however, about the best grayling fly it is possible to
use on a sunny day, and it will, in bright weather, frequently do
execution with trout. I hooked three good fish with it in less than ten
minutes one day last week.
Yours very truly,
+H. S. Hall+.
+Ogden & Scotford+,
MANUFACTURERS OF
Fishing Rods, Flies and Tackle
For all Parts of the World.
25, CRAYFORD ROAD, HOLLOWAY
=LONDON.=
Works at PITVILLE, CHELTENHAM.
PRIZE MEDALLISTS, FISHERIES EXHIBITION, LONDON, 1883.
SIX INTERNATIONAL AWARDS.
Only Makers of the Prize Medal
"MULTUM IN PARVO"
TROUT ROD, now used by most of the
=Leading Sportsmen.=
Only Makers of the Celebrated
"DEVERAUX MAHOE"
SALMON AND TROUT RODS;
The lightest and toughest Wood Rods ever yet introduced.
_Rods to Order of any Description, all warranted Hand Made._
The Original and World Renowned
=JAMES OGDEN'S TROUT FLIES,=
OF FIRST QUALITY ONLY,
DRESSED BY MRS. JAMES OGDEN.
Special attention given to Pattern Flies.
Outfits for any part of the World on the shortest notice possible.
Transcriber's notes:
Text in italics is marked with _underscore_, bold text with the =equals
sign= and small capitals with +plus+. Double underlined text marked with
~tilde~.
Archaic spelling retained. The following corrections have been made:
p. 25: "opprobium" corrected to "opprobrium"
p. 43: "Southamption" corrected to "Southampton"
Advertisement "Holland's Floating Flies": "miscroscope"corrected to
"microscope".
Obvious punctuation errors repaired (e.g. added period after No
"No. 0").